As part of WVIF’s Wellness Pillar of Impact, we are committed to connecting Women Veterans with the education, resources, and support they need to lead healthy lives and thrive. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, that commitment is both an extension of our mission and a moral obligation rooted in personal experience.
WVIF’s Founder and CEO Ginger Miller is a breast cancer survivor. In 2024, after experiencing breast pain, she went to her doctor. The doctor ordered a mammogram and ultra sound, which led to a diagnosis of early stage breast cancer. Following her diagnosis, Ginger received treatment through the DC VA Medical Center. Her experience reinforced a message she continues to share with Women Veterans: know your risk, get screened, and advocate for your health.
If you’re a Woman Veteran, we urge you to take Breast Cancer Awareness Month as a reminder that regular screening matters. Take a moment to understand your benefits and connect with a VA near you.
Why Breast Health Matters for Women Veterans
Prevention, risk assessment, and early detection deserve attention. Research supported by the VA has highlighted a notably high incidence of breast cancer among younger military women. These women experience a 20% to 40% higher incidence than the general population. Plus, the incidence rate of breast cancer among active-duty women is 7X higher than the average incidence rate of 15 other cancer types across all Service Members.
Regular screening can identify breast cancer before symptoms appear. VA recommends that women begin yearly mammograms at age 40 and continue screening every other year through age 74. After that, consult with your provider about ongoing screenings.
New Breast Health Resources for Women Veterans
In the past 5 years alone, we’ve seen big developments in awareness, access to resources, and care options related to breast health. From risk assessment to preventive care in rural areas, more and more options and resources are becoming available to Women Veterans.
The SERVICE Act: Expanding Risk Assessment
The Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas Supporting Expanded Review for Veterans in Combat Environments Act, known as the SERVICE Act, became law in June 2022. This is named for Marine Veteran and public health professional Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas, who developed stage 4 breast cancer after her service in Iraq. The SERVICE Act expanded access to breast cancer risk assessments for Veterans who served in specified locations and time periods.
Subsequently, VA expanded eligibility for breast cancer risk assessments and mammograms for Veterans who may have experienced toxic exposures during service. This includes Veterans who are under age 40. The assessment considers military service, potential toxic exposures, family history, and other risk factors.
While no direct link between toxic exposure and breast cancer has been identified, VA’s ongoing research studies whether exposure contributes to breast cancer risk.
The MAMMO Act: Improving Access to Screening
The Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options for Veterans Act, or MAMMO Act, was signed into law in June 2022. The law was designed to improve VA mammography services, address geographic disparities in breast imaging, and modernize imaging capabilities. Also, the law directs the creation of a telescreening mammography pilot program for Veterans who live where VA breast imaging is unavailable or difficult to access.
The pilot launched in 2023, expanding to five sites. As of June 2025, the MAMMO Act Pilot Program was responsible for over 7,000 mammography screenings across the United States. This matters particularly for Women Veterans living in rural or underserved areas, where traveling long distances for specialized screening can create an additional barrier to preventive care.
The Mammography Access for Veterans Act: Expanding the Reach
Building on the MAMMO Act, the Mammography Access for Veterans Act of 2025 was introduced in the Senate in December 2025. The legislation seeks to make VA’s telescreening mammography program permanent. Plus, it would require VA to provide at least one mammography option, such as telescreening, full-service mammography, or mobile mammography, in every state and Puerto Rico.
If this legislation is signed into law, it will remove major barriers to breast cancer screenings by expanding reach to Women Veterans who live far from full-service VA mammography facilities.
Steps You Can Take During Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Your VA benefits provide access to preventive care and support. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, make a commitment to taking necessary steps access the benefits you earned – and take care of yourself.
1. Talk With Your VA Primary Care Provider
If you have questions about your breast health, start with your VA healthcare provider. Ask about your personal risk factors, recommended screening schedule, family history, and whether your military service affects your screening needs.
2. Ask About the SERVICE Act
If you served in locations and time periods covered by the SERVICE Act, ask your VA provider about a breast cancer risk assessment. If the assessment identifies a need, VA may provide a clinically appropriate mammogram.
3. Know What Breast Health Services VA Provides
VA breast health resources include:
- Mammograms and breast cancer screening
- Breast ultrasound and MRI
- Breast biopsy and surgery
- Genetic counseling and testing
- Cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Oncology care
- Access to clinical trials
- Mental health support
VA also provides mammography at VA facilities and can coordinate screening through community providers when appropriate. Breast cancer screening coordinators help patients navigate the screening process and follow up on abnormal results.
4. If You Don’t Know Where to Start, Ask for Help
Your local Women Veterans Program Manager can help you navigate VA healthcare and benefits. You can also contact VA at 1-877-222-8387 to locate a VA medical center or get assistance accessing care.
Take Action
At WVIF, wellness means supporting the whole Woman Veteran, and that includes making sure Women Veterans know where to turn for preventive care, education, screening, treatment, and support.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take a few minutes to put your health on the calendar. Know your family history. Understand your risk. Ask questions. Schedule the screening your provider recommends. Your health matters. Your life matters. And taking care of yourself is part of the mission, too.